Does pushing in the clutch while going downhill saves fuel?

Uh... really? Is your reading comprehension this bad? Might I suggest turning off your computer, get some rest and if you really are still interested in this topic tomorrow, reread and try again at that time?

(Hint: I didn't reset the fuel economy calculator after each hill but instead had the truck's computer continue to record the data over many hills present in the trip) (don't quit the day job to be a research scientist-it would be a mistake)

The discussion/debate has gone downhill (no pun intended) very quickly. There comes a time in a debate when it becomes obvious that a person engaged in said debate has no interest in learning anything from the opposing debater nor the actual truth. In my mind the difference between a debate and an argument is the curiosity for the truth and the interest in finding an accurate conclusion over being right. A debate is an exchange of ideas and building a case using logical thought and reasoning. An argument is a pissing match that cares nothing about reality only winning.

So until you have anything worth responding to I doubt I will be responding to you concerning this. I do enjoy a good debate but unfortunately the banter between you and I hasn't met the minimum criteria to be considered as such.

 

That makes you the masterdebater! Go on Chuck, tell him what he's won.

 

Wow, Sounds like someone cracked a turbo and is blowin smoke out both pipes.

Relax guys it just a freaking dog with fleas, every man is entitled to his 2 cents here.

 

That's great I sincerely respect people who not only have the ability to think but enjoy exercising the ability to think. I wish more people were like you in this regard

Yes, that's a valuable observation and consistent with my experience and conclusions. If all drivers employed such measures I'm sure we as a country would use far less oil/fuel and the price of gas and diesel would likely be lower.

I'm not sure what make of truck you drive or what steepness of hill you're referring to but on steep hills (>5%) pulling heavier loads (>40,000lbs) in that rpm range is a little low to be pulling efficiently in all the Freightliners I've driven. Perhaps your experince is in a Volvo, Mack, Peterbilt or other make. My employer had the brilliant idea to install rev limiters in a sampling of our trucks so max rpms that would allow fuel intake was set at 1600rpm. After average fuel economy for those trucks went down they removed these limiters.Not saying you're wrong or misrepresenting your experience just saying there are factors which might change the ideal numbers to maintain. But in principle I do agree with you and your strategy is one I've employed from very early in my trucking career.

This is largely my point and a key rationale of my position.

Very good points Martian. One caveat I'll mention is that if you are trying to figure out which (legal) strategies are most effective (progressive shifting, cruise vs no cruise, rpm ranges, acceleration points, etc) then you'd want to make an apples to apples comparison. By that I mean compare strategies when running a similar if not identical route and load (weightwise). This can't be done over 30 days unless you run the same sort of loads over the same routes month to month. The days you run Oklahoma with 12,000lb will vary greatly than the days you run Tennessee with 45,000lbs. That is why when I would try different shift points and compare fuel economies I would do it on identical trips with similar if not identical loads in hopefully similar traffic conditions and weather conditions. Many of these factors are out of your control but making the effort to compare apples to apples deliver more accurate conclusions that the variants that would occur in random loads over a 30 day period.

You may not agree with my posted positions or with my comments here, but in an effort to find some common sense I've found more in your post here than anywhere else on this thread.

 

10-4

I agree

Pete with cummins ISX (RED) Eaton 10 speed 53 ft reefer always heavy. I have driven volvo freightliner and International. All about the same except the freightliner. DD60 cut back way too much only got 5.5 mpg. The pete is getting right at 6.5 ave.

At least we are on the same page and I agree that to prove scientifically that some controls would have to be in place to determine that actual variance in the end result. A test track environment, same truck same road conditions. different driving techniques.

What is important is an open mind and the ability to adapt and something called wisdom. Thanks for sharing.

 

I thought I was done here but I just read this again and have to say this is the funniest thing I've read on here in a couple weeks. Did you proofread this before hitting submit?

Seriously, read your post carefully and consider what you are claiming here. This is what you honestly believe?

What degree of a hill are you talking about 2% perhaps. Are you from Florida?

 

What he is saying is actually true. Any trip into the tables of an electronically controlled Diesel engine will show there is a commanded fuel rate of 0mm^3 above a certain RPM with 0% throttle. The fuel rate is then slowly increased back to the idle fuel rate as the RPM approaches idle. I can get two different screen shots that will prove this.

 

I'll call you on this one. First a catherization costs about $24,000. No insurance company will approve it without a failed ******** test which costs $4800. In order to get a ******** test you have to fail a ****** test. Let me guess, you are paying out of pocket from all that fuel you saved?

Second, a heart specialist won't even talk to you prior to a surgery. The first time you would see one is the day of the surgery and then subsequent follow up visits. By the way, they are called cardiologist.

I come from a family of heart attacks and had three catherizations and an angioplasty myself. I know the procedures well.

On the other end of the spectrum I hope your health is okay!

Tell me what ******* tests you had and I might believe you more.

 

Three EKG tests, Two Chest X-Rays, Nuclear StressTest, Cardiac Workup blood profile, twice. EchoCardiogram, Blood pressure and heart and blood oxygen monitoring, after my first visit to the ER I visited the pulmonolgist and did the breathing capacity test (Pulmonary Function test), took an oxygen sensor home with me to record my nocturnal blood oxygen levels. About 12-13 various blood tests to check liver, kidney,pituitary and adrenal gland function.

Those are the ones I can remember off the top of my head there may be a few more. If I dig up all my medical bills over the past 6 months I could give you a more detailed list.

My bills thus far, not including the bills from the past 7 days total around $12000 or so. (I suppose I added another $3000 this past week) My deductible is $1500. So I paid the first 1500 from my HSA account and have paid 10% of the remaining $10,500 also out of my HSA account.

I have been in Consultation with Heart Specialists of Lancaster ever since last October. Since then I have talked with 4 different Heart Specialists Docs from this office. Saw Dr. Gracey, yesterday who told me He thought my recent chest pain was a muscle strain and not likely to be a cardiac concern. After looking at all the testing I've had done and the two ER visits he offered the cath should I want more peace of mind. So I was let's do it.
In preparation for the procedure I have to have a basic metabolic panel, a CBC,Prothrombin Time with INR, and PTT blood tests on Wednesday. Taking Lipitor now through Friday, 8 tablets of Plavix the night before the procedure and an aspirin the night before and the morning of the procedure.

We didn't discuss the cost of the procedure only how it works, its benefits and risk factors of getting it done. I have a maximum out of pocket threshold on my plan I imagine I will have hit it once I get all the bills.

It's so comforting to know there are drivers such as Condo Cruiser and Gashauler who launch baseless personal attacks and charges of lying about another driver's personal situation whom they have never met. Thanks so much for your concern about my well being and ability to pay my medical bills. If you would like to make a contribution to offset my bills PM me and I can give you my Paypal acct address.

 

Hey guys! remember what the post is about. you have an INEXPERIENCED DRIVER asking about using the clutch as a method to save fuel. We all know the laws of physics. start a new thread to debate your scientific studies. Otherwise your filling this guys head with bad info.